Protesters to target trapping of monkeys

A Rhesus monkey relaxes on a branch overlooking the Silver river in Silver Springs, Fl on Sunday May 22, 2004. The monkeys have been a curiosity and attraction along the river and eastern Marion County since their descendants escaped from an attraction at Silver Springs in the 1930's. Throughout the years they have been the subject of studies, fear and legislation but today they are simply an interesting attraction along the natural and unspoiled river that runs through Silver River State Park.

Published: Monday, September 30, 2013 at 6:29 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, September 30, 2013 at 6:29 p.m.

Instead of celebrating a new chapter in Silver Springs’ long history, some first-day visitors to Florida’s newest state park will be present to express their contempt for one peculiar aspect of its past.

Members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida plan to protest the trapping of wild monkeys that live within Silver Springs and along the Silver River.

The ancestors of today’s primates were purchased from a traveling circus and introduced at the attraction some 70 years ago.

Ever since they have existed along the banks of the Silver River as extras on the park’s jungle-themed stage.

The monkeys, however, have also been tools for scientific research.

The Animal Rights Foundation estimated in a news release that some 800 monkeys were trapped and removed from the park between 1998 and 2012.

Tuesday, as the Florida Park Service takes full control of the Silver Springs property, following the exit of Palace Entertainment, the California-based amusement park operator that has been at the site since 2002, the trapping for the first time will take place entirely on public land managed by the state park officials, the group said in its statement.

“It is a tragedy that wild monkeys are torn from their families and forest homes and sold to research and testing laboratories,” Don Anthony, the animal rights group’s spokesman, said in the news release.

“Once wild and free, these sensitive and intelligent animals will end their lives in the isolation of a laboratory.”

The group is calling on the park service to consider alternatives to the trapping and removal of monkeys. They advocate, for instance, catching and sterilizing them and then returning them to the park.

The state, though, considers them a nuisance to humans, capable of aggressive behavior and spreading disease.

In 1994, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommended that the monkeys be eliminated. But the plan was never implemented because of public opposition.

<p>Instead of celebrating a new chapter in Silver Springs' long history, some first-day visitors to Florida's newest state park will be present to express their contempt for one peculiar aspect of its past.</p><p>Members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida plan to protest the trapping of wild monkeys that live within Silver Springs and along the Silver River.</p><p>The ancestors of today's primates were purchased from a traveling circus and introduced at the attraction some 70 years ago.</p><p>Ever since they have existed along the banks of the Silver River as extras on the park's jungle-themed stage.</p><p>The monkeys, however, have also been tools for scientific research.</p><p>The Animal Rights Foundation estimated in a news release that some 800 monkeys were trapped and removed from the park between 1998 and 2012.</p><p>Tuesday, as the Florida Park Service takes full control of the Silver Springs property, following the exit of Palace Entertainment, the California-based amusement park operator that has been at the site since 2002, the trapping for the first time will take place entirely on public land managed by the state park officials, the group said in its statement.</p><p>“It is a tragedy that wild monkeys are torn from their families and forest homes and sold to research and testing laboratories,” Don Anthony, the animal rights group's spokesman, said in the news release.</p><p>“Once wild and free, these sensitive and intelligent animals will end their lives in the isolation of a laboratory.”</p><p>The group is calling on the park service to consider alternatives to the trapping and removal of monkeys. They advocate, for instance, catching and sterilizing them and then returning them to the park.</p><p>The state, though, considers them a nuisance to humans, capable of aggressive behavior and spreading disease.</p><p>In 1994, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommended that the monkeys be eliminated. But the plan was never implemented because of public opposition.</p>